Means for setting grommets in woven fabrics

ABSTRACT

A method of and apparatus for setting grommets in woven fabrics without cutting strands of the fabric, or with the cutting only of strands of the fabric which extend in directions other than the direction of the pull which will be exerted on the fabric when the article is in use. The apparatus includes a fabric penetrating device designed to be used in conjunction with grommet setting tools to form an opening in the fabric by penetrating the fabric between the strands or moving strands or threads of the fabric apart without severing the same to permit the insertion in the opening of one part of a grommet to be set in the fabric. The penetrating device may have a cutting edge positioned to cut a limited number of strands or threads of the fabric extending in a direction normal to the direction of the pull which will be exerted on the fabric during use of the article formed therefrom, in order to facilitate the penetration of the fabric to form the grommet opening therein without severing strands upon which the pull will be exerted. The method of the invention comprises forming a grommet receiving opening in a woven fabric by inserting a penetrating device therethrough between strands of the fabric to separate the strands without cutting the same, and inserting and setting a grommet in the opening so formed. The method may include the cutting of a limited number of strands of the fabric which extend in directions other than the direction in which strands of the fabric would be subjected to a pulling force in the use of the article of which the fabric is formed.

ilnited States Patent [1 1 Green [451 Dec. 11, 1973 MEANS FOR SETTINGGROMMETS IN WOVEN FABRICS [76] Inventor: Victor J. Green, 8121 BarkleyDr.,

Houston, Tex. 77017 [22] Filed: Feb. 12, 1970 [21] Appl. No.:- 10,712

[52] U.S. Cl 227/61, 29/243.52, 29/243.54, 29/432.2, 29/512 [51] Int. ClB2lj 15/14 [58] Field of Search 223/104, 103; 29/432, 243.52, 432.2,243.54, 512; 227/61, 62

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS R8,276 6/1878 Bray 227/61124,346 3/1872 Edmands 227/62 228,156 5/1880 Wood 227/61 1,148,6738/1915 Gooding 1. 227/62 1,165,078 12/1915 Draher 227/61 1,838,97312/1931 Wilder 227/62 2,053,490 9/1936 Novick..... 29/432.2 2,532,92812/1950 Marty 227/62 3,346,151 10/1967 Porter 223/104 917,295 4/1909Haynes 223/104 X 683,655 10/1901 Mersch 223/104 FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 357,565 8/1922 Germany 227/62 378,617 8/1932 Great Britain227/61 Primary Examiner-George H. Krizmanich Att0rneyCharles E.Lightfoot [57] ABSTRACT A method of and apparatus for setting grommetsin woven fabrics without cutting strands of the fabric, or with thecutting only of strands of the fabric which extend in directions otherthan the direction of the pull which will be exerted on the fabric whenthe article is in use. The apparatus includes a fabric penetratingdevice designed to be used in conjunction with grommet setting tools toform an opening in the fabric by penetrating the fabric between thestrands or moving strands or threads of the fabric apart withoutsevering the same to permit the insertion in the opening of one part ofa grommet to be set in the fabric. The penetrating device may have acutting edge positioned to cut a limited number of strands or threads ofthe fabric extending in a direction normal to the direction of the pullwhich will be exerted on the fabric during use of the article formedtherefrom, in order to facilitate the penetration of the fabric to formthe grommet opening therein without severing strands upon which the pullwill be exerted.

The method of the invention comprises forming a grommet receivingopening in a woven fabric by inserting a penetrating device therethroughbetween strands of the fabric to separate the strands without cuttingthe same, and inserting and setting a grommet in the opening so formed.The method may include the cutting of a limited number of strands of thefabric which extend in directions other than the direction in whichstrands of the fabric would be subjected to a pulling force in the useof the article of which the fabric is formed.

5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures minnow 1 m 3.777. 966

FIG. 5

Victor J. Green IN VENTOR MKW ATTORNEY MEANS FOR SETTING GROMMETS INWOVEN FABRICS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the making of numerousarticles of woven fabric it is customary to furnish such articles withgrommets or eyelets for the attachment of ropes or other fasteningmeans. Articles of this character, such as tents, tarpaulins, andespecially'apparatus of the flexible fabric bed type, such astrampolines, the fabric is maintained in a more or less tightlystretched condition and is often subjected to great pulling forcestending'to pull the fabric away from the grommets resulting in thepulling out of the grommets.

For the purpose of attaching grommets to such articles it is customaryto cut holes in the fabric, by the use of a cutter of the punch type,which severs the strands or threads of the fabric, leaving loose endsabout the margins of the holes, the grommets being then inserted in theholes and set in place to clamp the fabric surrounding the holes.

When an article constructed in this manner is subjected to pullingforces, such as are exerted by ropes, springs, or the like extendingthrough the grommets, the strands extending in the direction of the pullare frequently pulled away from the grommets, resulting in damage to thefabric and finally rendering the article unfit for further use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly described, the present inventioncomprises a method of and means for applying grommets to a woven fabric,in which the strands of the fabric are left in an unsevered condition orin which only a limited number of strands extending in directions otherthan the direction of the exertion of the greatest pull on the fabricare cut to facilitate the insertion and setting of the grommet.

The apparatus of the invention includes, in addition to grommet settingmeans of a usual type, a device which is designed to penetrate thefabric and shaped to push the strands aside without severing any of thestrands, or to cut a limited number of the strands extending only indirections other than the direction in which the greatest pulling forcewill be exerted on the fabric, to form an opening through which thegrommet may be extended.

The grommet setting apparatus may be of the type having the usual parts,such as an anvil and a hammer or setting element and the hole formingmember may be a pointed element carried by the anvil in position topenetrate the fabric when the fabric is pressed over the anvil to formthe grommet receiving opening. The hole forming member amy also beformed with a cutting edge at its free end by which strands of thefabric may be cut to facilitate the forming of the grommet hole, andmeans is provided for holding the member in a predetermined position inthe anvil to position the cutting edge to sever only strands of thefabric extending in directions other than the direction of the pullwhich will be exerted on the fabric article in use.

The method of the invention comprises the attachment of a grommet to awoven fabric by forming an opening in the fabric, without severingstrands of the fabric, by pushing aside the strands in the location ofthe opening, inserting a grommet through the opening and setting thegrommet into clamping engagement with the strands about the margin ofthe opening. The method may include the forming of the grommet openingin the fabric by severing a limited number of strands extending in onedirection only of the fabric to facilitate the penetration of the fabricand the pushing aside of the strands to form an opening through whichthe grommet may be inserted to position the grommet for setting intoclamping engagement with the strands about the opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings FIG. 1 isa side elevational view, partly broken away and partly in cross-section,illustrating a preferred embodiment of the grommet setting apparatus ofthe invention and the method of setting a grommet therewith, the partsbeing shown in the positions which they occupy at a stage in which onepart of a grommet is positioned in an opening in the fabric preliminaryto the application of the other part and the setting of the grommet;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 showing the apparatus withthe parts of the. grommet in an intermediate stage of the settingoperation ready for the completion of the setting of the grommet;

FIG. 3 is a central, vertical, cross-sectional view of one part of thegrommet, prior to the setting of the same;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 the apparatus at thecompletion of the setting operation; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1,looking in the direction of the arrows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE GROMMET SETTINGMEANS AND THE METHOD OF USING THE SAME The invention as illustrated inthe drawings is intended for use in applying grommets or eyelets toarticles formed of woven fabric, such as the fabric shown at F, whichmay be of any usual type, such as canvas or other woven fabric. Theinvention finds particular utility in connection with woven fabrics usedin the making of articles which are designed to withstand relativelygreat pulling or stretching forces, such as tents, tarpaulins or theflexible beds or trampolines or devices of similar character in whichwoven fabrics formed of plastics having great strength and resistance tostretching are frequently used.

In the manufacture of devices of this character grommets of variouskinds are employed, such as that illustrated in the drawings having abase or eyelet part 10 which is constructed to be inserted through anopening in the fabric, and a part or washer 12 which is adapted to bepositioned over the base, the parts being shaped for coaction bycrimping or setting with setting apparatus such as the anvil l4 andhammer 16 to clamp the fabric about the opening between the parts tosecurely attach the grommet to the fabric.

The base or eyelet part 10 of the grommet is formed with an annularportion or flange 18 which is of generally U-shape in cross-section, anda tubular neck portion 20 which is concentric with the flange and whichis coextensive with the inner wall portion thereof and beyond the freeedge of the outer wall portion of the flange.

The washer part 12 of the grommet, best seen in FIG. 3, is of generallyinverted cup shape having a central opening 22 through which the neck 20of the base part may be freely extended, and formed with a depending rimportion provided with circumferentially spaced projections 24 about itsouter periphery.

The anvil or die 14 is of annular, tapered shape, formed with a centralbore 26 and having at its upper end an annular cavity 28 surroundingsaid bore and which is shaped to correspond to the shape of the flange18 and in which the eyelet part may be seated. The anvil also has aplanar end face 29 surrounding the cavity 28 for engagement with thelower surface of the fabric about the grommet opening formed therein.

A fabric penetrating or hole forming member or tool 30 is provided,which is formed with a shank portion 32 which fits in the bore 26 andhas an external, longitudinal groove 34 into which a set screw 36threadably carried in a side opening 38 of the anvil may be extended toreleasably hold the member against rotation in the anvil. The holeforming member has a somewhat enlarged head portion 40 at its upper endwhich may be upwardly tapered to form a penetrating point 42 at the freeend of the member and which also provides an external downwardly facingshoulder 44 positioned to be seated on the upper end of the neck portionof the base part 10 of the grommet as shown in FIG. 1.

A fabric operating member 46 is provided, which coacts with thepenetrating member to form an opening in the fabric for the reception ofthe neck of the grommet part 10, as illustrated in FIG. I. The member 46is of generally tubular shape, having a central bore 48 of a size toconveniently fit the head 40 of the penetrating member 30 and formedwith an annular, planar end face 50 which presses the fabric surroundingthe hole formed therein by the penetrating member against the upper endface of the anvil 14 when the operating member 46 moves downwardly overthe point 42 to the anvil.

It will be apparent that the penetration of the fabric F by the member30 by downward movement of the operating member 46 over the head 40 withthe end face 50 of the member 46 in engagement with the upper surface ofthe cloth to press the cloth down against the anvil represents aninitial stage of the method of the invention by which a hole is formedin the fabric and the neck portion of the eyelet part 10 of the grommetis extended through the hole.

The grommet setting apparatus includes a washer setting die or hammer52, shown in FIG. 2, which may be of cylindrical shape, having a bore 54of a size to conveniently receive the neck 20 of the grommet part 10 andformed with an annular end cavity 56 conforming to the shape of thewasher part 12 above the projections 24 and in which the washer may bepartially extended. The washer setting tool also has an end face 58surrounding the cavity 56 which is engagable with the fabric F about thewasher when the tool is moved downwardly to crimp or set the washer inthe eyelet part as illustrated in FIG. 2.

In a stage of the grommet setting method of the invention, subsequent tothe stage illustrated in FIG. 1, the washer part 12 is positioned overthe neck portion 20 with the free ends of the projections 24 resting onthe upper surface of the fabric slightly radially inwardly of the outerperiphery of the flange 18 of the eyelet part, and the setting member 52is then moved downwardly over the neck 20 to press the washer downwardlyagainst the flange 18 to turn the projections 24 inwardly in the curvedannular portion of the flange.

The grommet setting apparatus also includes hammer or setting die 16,previously mentioned which may be of solid, cylindrically shapedconstruction having a central, downwardly extending, end projection 60,of a size to snuggly fit within the neck 20, and an annular end cavity62 surrounding the projection and whose bottom is curved. Radiallyoutwardly of the cavity 62 the hammer 16 has an end face 64 positionedfor engagement with the upper surface of the fabric F when the hammerreaches the limit of its downward setting movement toward the anvil, anddownwardly beyond which the projection 60 may extend.

As will be evident from FIG. 4 a further stage of the method of theinvention is the setting of the grommet by the downward movement of thehammer l6 intoengagement with the free end of the neck 20 of the eyeletpart 10 positioned as shown in FIG. 2, to turn the wall of the neckoutwardly and downwardly by engagement in the cavity 62 to interengagethe parts with the fabric clamped tightly between the washer and eyeletparts about the opening in the fabric whereby the grommet will besecurely attached to the fabric.

In carrying out the grommet applying method of the invention, making useof the above described apparatus, the eyelet part 10 of a grommet ispositioned in the cavity 28 of the anvil, as seen in FIG. 1, and theshank 32 of the penetrating member 30 is inserted through the neck 20into the bore 26 of the anvil with the shoulder 44 resting upon the freeend of the neck.

The fabric F is then placed on the penetrating member with the point atwhich the grommet is to be applied disposed on the point 48 of themember, and the fabric operating member 46 is pressed downwardly overthe point 48 to cause the point to penetrate the fabric between strandsof the same and to move the fabric downwardly over the head 40 toseparate strands of the fabric without cutting the same, to form a holein the fabric and move the fabric down over the neck 20 into engagementwith the end face 29 of the anvil with the neck 20 extending through thehole.

It will be apparent that, as the fabric moves downwardly along thetapering face of the pointed head 40, the strands of the fabric will bemoved apart to form a hole about which the strands of the fabric will besomewhat curved and bunched, in the manner shown in FIG. 5, but withoutcutting or breaking the strands.

With the grommet hole thus formed in the fabric the penetratingimplement 30 may be readily removed from the anvil, leaving the neck 20projecting through the fabric.

If desired, a suitable cementing material or other adhesive, such asplastic dissolved in a suitable solvent, or other adhesive, may beapplied to the fabric about the opening therein to further hold thestrands in position.

The washer part 12 is next placed over the neck 20 with the free ends ofthe projections 24 resting on the upper surface of the fabric atlocations slightly inwardly radially of the outer periphery of theflange l8, and the washer setting member 52 is pressed downwardly toextend the neck 20 into the bore 54 and engage the washer in the cavity56 to press the washer downwardly against the eyelet part to cause theprojection 24 to be turned inwardly in the flange 18 to bind the fabricbetween the eyelet and washer parts, as seen in FIG. 2.

With the parts of the grommet thus pressed into clamping engagement withthe fabric, the hammer 16 is positioned on the neck 20 with the centralprojection 60 fitted into the neck and the hammer is then drivendownwardly toward the anvil to overturn the wall of the neck byengagement in the cavity 62 against the upper surface of the washer partto clamp the fabric between the parts.

Under some conditions, such as in the setting of grommets in heavyfabrics or fabrics woven of very stiff material or closely woven plasticmaterial in which it is difficult to penetrate the material to move thestrands or threads apart in forming the grommet openings it may bedesirable to cut a limited number of the strands or threads which willnot be subjected to the greatest pulling force to which the fabric willbe subjected in the use of the article formed therefrom, in order tofacilitate the penetration of the hole forming device. For this purposea penetrating member 30', similar to the member 30, previouslydescribed, may be provided, which is furnished with a cutting edge 42instead of the penetrating point 42, as shown in FIG. 5. In otherrespects the member 30' is the same as the member 30 and is similarlyused.

In using the member 30' the fabric is urged downwardly against thecutting edge 42' by the operating member 46 with the fabric disposed ina predetermined position of orientation relative to the cutting edge, tocut a number of the strands or threads, such as the strands 66 of thefabric, which extend in directions other than the direction of thegreatest pull which will be exerted on the fabric.

The form of the fabric penetrating element illustrated in FIG. 5 is heldin a predetermined position in the anvil by the screw 36 in the slot 34,as shown in FIG. 1 to out only strands of the fabric extending in adirection other than the direction of the pull which will be exerted onthe fabric in use. Thus, the cutting edges 42' will contact the fabricin a position of orientation relative to the strands of the fabric tocut only strands extending in directions other than the direction ofpull on the fabno.

In the present illustration, the direction of the maximum pull on thefabric may, for example, be parallel to the strands 68, while thestrands 66 may be disposed generally normal to the strands 68, so thatthe strands 66 bear only a minor portion of the pull on the fabric.Thus, by leaving the strands 68 uncut, these strands will be pushedaside and bunched about the grommet opening as seen in FIG. 5, so thatthe fabric is not substantially weakened, and the strands will not bepulled away from the grommet. The cutting of a limited number of thestrands 66 greatly facilitates to penetration of the hole formingimplement without substantially reducing the strength of the fabric orthe clamping of the fabric by the grommet. In other respects the methodof applying the grommets to the fabric using the penetrating implementof FIG. 5 is the same as that described in connection with the use ofthe penetrating implement of FIG. I.

The method of the invention may thus comprise the forming of a hole inthe woven fabric without cutting the strands or threads of the same; theinserting of the neck of an eyelet-like grommet part having a tubularneck through the hole; the positioning of a washer-like grommet partover the neck in engagement with the upper surface of the fabric aroundthe hole and the crimping or setting of the washer-like part intointerlocking engagement with the eyelet-like part to clamp the fabricbetween the parts; and the setting of the grommet parts by overturningthe wall of the tubular neck into engagement with the washer-like partto securely clamp the parts to the fabric.

The method of the invention may also comprise the cutting of a limitednumber of the strands of the fabric extending in directions other thanthe direction of the pulling force which will be exerted on the fabricin the use of the article formed therefrom, leaving the strands whichwill bear such pulling force severed, thus avoiding weakening of thefabric and the danger of pulling the fabric away from the grommet inuse.

It will thus be seen that the invention provides means for applying agrommet to a woven fabric by which an improved attachment is formed, aswell as a method of applying such grommets without cutting holes in thefabric or otherwise reducing the strength of the same.

Having thus clearly shown and described the invention, what is claimedas new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A fabric penetrating implement for applying grommets to articlesformed of woven fabrics which comprises:

an anvil having a central bore and having at its upper end an annularcavity surrounding said bore,

an eyelet part of a grommet formed with an annular portion having theshape of said annular cavity and a tubular neck portion extending abovesaid cavity, and

a fabric penetrating means having a tapered head portion terminating ata point and having a shank portion of reduced size relative to said headand defining a grommet engaging shoulder at the base of said headportion,

said base of said head portion seated on said tubular neck portion ofsaid eyelet part of said grommet and said shank portion passing throughthe annulus of said eyelet part of said grommet and extending into saidbore of said anvil.

2. An implement according to claim 1 wherein said head portion has adiameter at the base which is the same as the outer diameter of thetubular neck portion of said grommet.

3. An implement according to claim 1 wherein said anvil has means whichextends into said central bore whereby said fabric penetrating means isheld against axial rotation.

4. An implement according to claim 3 wherein said shank of said fabricpenetrating means has a slot in which said means for holding againstrotation cooperates.

5. Ah implement according to claim 1 wherein said head portion of saidfabric penetrating means is tapered to a cutting edge.

1. A fabric penetrating implement for applying grommets to articlesformed of woven fabrics which comprises: an anvil having a central boreand having at its upper end an annular cavity surrounding said bore, aneyelet part of a grommet formed with an annular portion having the shapeof said annular cavity and a tubular neck portion extending above saidcavity, and a fabric penetrating means having a tapered head portionterminating at a point and having a shank portion of reduced sizerelative to said head and defining a grommet engaging shoulder at thebase of said head portion, said base of said head portion seated on saidtubular neck portion of said eyelet part of said grommet and said shankportion passing through the annulus of said eyelet part of said grommetand extending into said bore of said anvil.
 2. An implement according toclaim 1 wherein said head portion has a diameter at the base which isthe same as the outer diameter of the tubular neck portion of saidgrommet.
 3. An implement according to claim 1 wherein said anvil hasmeans which extends into said central bore whereby said fabricpenetrating means is held against axial rotation.
 4. An implementaccording to claim 3 wherein said shank of said fabric penetrating meanshas a slot in which said means for holding against rotation cooperates.5. An implement according to claim 1 wherein said head portion of saidfabric penetrating means is tapered to a cutting edge.